Double delight for Japan at US Open

Naomi Osaka means business as she attempts to win her first grand slam title at the US Open.

The 20-year-old trounced Lesia Tsurenko 6-1 6-1 to become the first Japanese woman since Kimiko Date at Wimbledon in 22 years to advance to the last four of a grand slam.

To complete an excellent day for Japan, a rejuvenated Kei Nishikori beat former champion Marin Cilic in a lengthy five-set battle to follow countrywoman Osaka into the semifinals.

‘‘Quarters was my mental goal, every time I played a grand slam,’’ Osaka said. ‘‘And then after I went into the quarters, I want to keep going, so I feel like I have to be focused again and keep trying really hard.’’

Osaka will next face last year’s beaten finalist Madison Keys, after the highest seed left in the tournament at 14 powered past Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-4 6-3.

Osaka represents Japan and was born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and Haitian father, but the family moved to New York when she was three before relocating to Florida five years later.

She came to the US Open as a child. ‘‘I always thought if I were to win a grand slam, the first one I’d want to win is the US Open, because I have grown up here and then my grandparents can come and watch. I think it would be really cool,’’ Osaka said.

Keys, who has now reached at least the semis at three of the last five slams, remembers her 2016 clash with Osaka at Flushing Meadows as the moment she learned to play on the biggest stage in the sport.

‘‘I think that was probably the first time I had been on Ashe and had to learn how to use the crowd. I know now, as a home favourite, to let myself let the crowd in and let them help me,’’ the 23-year-old said.

The winner of the Osaka-keys showdown will face 23-time major champion Serena Williams or 19th-seeded Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia in Sunday’s final.

Meanwhile, John Millman’s US Open odyssey ended after a sapping quarterfinal loss to Serbian Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic downed Millman 6-3 6-4 6-4 in a drama-charged war of attrition to end the unseeded Australian’s gallant run that was highlighted by his upset win over 20-times grand slam champion Roger Federer in the fourth round.

GETTY IMAGES Japan’s two singles semifinalists Naomi Osaka, left, and Kei Nishikori pose for a celebration picture after their wins at the US Open in New York yesterday.

AP Left, Madison Keys rejoices after her quarterfinal win over Carla Suarez Navarro. Right, the giantkilling run of Australian John Millman ended when he was beaten in straight sets by Novak Djokovic.